As the global AI race accelerates, Covestro is betting big on the materials powering the next generation of computing, robotics and connected devices.
At COMPUTEX 2026, the high-performance polymer supplier unveiled a sweeping portfolio of sustainable material solutions under the theme “The Material Effect,” positioning itself at the center of the AI infrastructure surge reshaping industries worldwide.
From AI servers and semiconductor manufacturing to humanoid robots and smart consumer devices, Covestro showcased advanced engineering plastics and TPU technologies designed to meet the soaring demands of high-density computing and embodied intelligence.
The timing is critical. AI server shipments from Taiwan-based manufacturers to the United States nearly doubled in 2025, fueled by hyperscale data center expansion, while Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is forecast to hit NT$7.1 trillion in output in 2026 amid explosive growth in GPU production, HBM memory and advanced packaging technologies.
“Technology is moving faster than ever, and AI is opening up entirely new possibilities across industries,” said Lily Wang, President of Engineering Plastics at Covestro.
“At Covestro, we deliver high-performance, sustainable material solutions that help our customers move faster, backed by a stable global supply network that scales with them. ‘The Material Effect’ is about pushing industry boundaries while advancing the circular economy, and turning good ideas into lasting impact.”
Covestro’s showcase placed AI data centers and semiconductor manufacturing at the forefront, highlighting materials engineered for extreme thermal loads, flame retardancy and lightweight performance.
The company’s polycarbonate solutions are designed for next-generation AI servers and supercomputers, supporting cooling systems, energy management infrastructure and mission-critical hardware operating in increasingly dense computing environments.
Further up the semiconductor supply chain, Covestro introduced ultra-clean polycarbonate solutions for wafer storage and transport. The materials offer low outgassing, dimensional precision and anti-static protection aimed at reducing contamination risks and improving chip yields.
“We bring together expertise from across our business areas to create integrated solutions that help customers accelerate innovation,” said Thomas Derichs, Global Head of Industrial Marketing Electronics & Electrical at Covestro. “Through close collaboration, we are enabling the leap from prototype to production, from concept to commercial.”
The company is also targeting the booming premium consumer electronics segment with carbon fiber-reinforced and transparent flame-retardant polycarbonates tailored for AI notebooks, gaming systems and high-performance peripherals.
Robotics and embodied AI emerged as another major focus area at COMPUTEX 2026, with Covestro positioning its materials as key enablers for the next wave of intelligent machines.
Its portfolio includes lightweight polycarbonate structures for robot frames, infrared-transparent sensor housings for environmental sensing, and TPU films engineered for tactile sensing in robotic hands and electronic skin.
The company said flexible TPU materials can enhance durability and elasticity in robotic joints, fascia systems and fingertip covers while withstanding repeated mechanical stress.
Covestro is also expanding partnerships across the robotics value chain. Collaborations with Hikrobot focus on smart logistics and machine vision systems, while work with Carthane explores cast PU elastomers and protective structures for robotic mobility systems.
In the smart home sector, Covestro partnered with Roborock to develop more sustainable TPU materials for robot vacuum cleaners, enabling lighter and easier-to-process components without sacrificing performance.
As AI capabilities spread across connected devices, Covestro is targeting the growing demand for materials that combine performance, sustainability and premium design.
Its solutions for satellite broadband and communication hardware are designed to deliver high signal transparency and long-term outdoor durability, while thermal-management polycarbonate materials for Wi-Fi routers aim to improve efficiency in increasingly compact devices.
The company also highlighted applications in smart home systems, AR/VR hardware and wearable technology, where optical-grade materials and advanced human-machine interface solutions are helping manufacturers create more immersive and intuitive user experiences.
Beyond performance, Covestro is leaning heavily into sustainability as manufacturers face rising pressure to lower carbon footprints and meet tightening environmental regulations.
The company said it has expanded its recycling ecosystem by sourcing post-consumer recycled materials from water bottles, automotive headlamps and semiconductor wafer boxes to strengthen supply-chain resilience and traceability.
Those recycled feedstocks are now being used in Covestro’s Makrolon R series, which combines recycled content with high impact resistance and glass-fiber reinforcement for industrial-grade applications.
Covestro also highlighted bio-circular attributed materials, including Bayblend RE used in BLUETTI’s Elite 100 V2 power station, which the company says cuts carbon emissions by more than 20% compared with conventional alternatives.
At the same time, Covestro is rolling out NIA-PFAS material solutions aligned with proposed European PFAS restrictions and updated EPEAT sustainability standards.
As AI-driven product design evolves, Covestro said demand is growing for materials that balance sustainability with bold aesthetics, including translucent finishes, tactile textures and nature-inspired color palettes.
By combining circular material science with advanced color, material and finish (CMF) technologies, the company is aiming to position itself not just as a supplier, but as a strategic partner in the AI-driven manufacturing transformation.
